Metal belt member for arranging in series of cartridges for rapid fire arms

ABSTRACT

A metal belt member for aligning of cartridges on belts for rapid fire weapons which comprises two resilient loops open towards the same side. One of the loops forms the center zone of the belt surrounding with play one of the cartridges, while the other of the loops formed in a pair clampingly surrounds the next adjacent of the cartridges. The other of the loops has a resilient tongue for entrance into a channelure of the cartridge and includes further angularly bent wings, projecting from the marginal edges of the two loop parts forming the loop in pairs and defining a slot therebetween. A rib extends in longitudinal direction of the cartridge belt and projects towards the inside of the loop out of the face of the loop and assumes the tensile stress of the belt, as well as being reduced towards its free end, all loops having slots oriented cross-wise to the longitudinal direction of the belt and aligned on one side of the belt spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the belt.

United States Patent Lindner [54] METAL BELT MEMBER FOR ARRANGING INSERIES OF CARTRIDGES FOR RAPID FIREARMS [72 lnventor: Gustav Lindner,Iserlohn, Germany Firma Heinrich IIulter, Jr., lserlohn, Germany [22]Filed: Jan. 6, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 789,234

[73] Assignee:

[ 51 Mar. 21, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 573,374 11/1945 GreatBritain ..89/35.l

Primary Examiner--Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-Stephen C.Bentley Attamey-Ernest G. Montague [57] ABSTRACT A metal belt member foraligning of cartridges on belts for rapid fire weapons which comprisestwo resilient loops open towards the same side. One of the loops formsthe center zone of the belt surrounding with play one of the cartridges,while the other of the loops formed in a pair clampingly surrounds thenext adjacent of the cartridges. The other of the loops has a resilienttongue for entrance into a channelure of the cartridge and includesfurther angularly bent wings, projecting from the marginal edges of thetwo loop parts forming the loop in pairs and defining a slottherebetween. A rib extends in longitudinal direction of the cartridgebelt and projects towards the inside of the loop out of the face of theloop and assumes the tensile stress of the belt, as well as beingreduced towards its free end, all loops having slots oriented cross-wiseto the longitudinal direction of the belt and aligned on one side of thebelt spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the belt.

2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMARZI I912 3,650,176

III-=- IIZZL.

NVENTOR.

BY ajm z METAL BELT MEMBER FOR ARRANGING IN SERIES OF CARTRIDGES FORRAPID FIRE ARMS The present invention relates to a metal belt member foraligning of cartridges to belts, for rapid fire weapons in general, andto such metal belt member comprising of two resilient band loops or beltlinks open to the same side, one of which band loops, forming the centerzone of the left strip, surrounds one cartridge case with play, whilethe other band loop formed as a pair, surrounds clampingly the adjacentcartridge case, in particular.

Cartridge belts are known, which consist of metal links, chainlikelinked together by means of the clampingly secured cartridge. Such beltsdisintegrate during the use in the weapon due to the removal of thecartridges from the belt. By directed efficiency of the link formingband loop engaging faces using the cartridge as a pivot pin by thetensile stress of the belt during insertion of the belt into the passageslot of the weapon, an appreciably reduced flexibility and thus easilyjams occur, which interfere with the advance of the cartridge belt, sothat loading jams occur.

In a known embodiment of the present invention, the links of the beltcomprise two longitudially alotted resilient casings one of which formsthe center zone of the belt, while the other is formed fork-like. Thecartridge serves as a pivot pin and it is coaxially mounted in the twocasings of adjacent belt members. In order to provide flexibility of thebelt the center casing has a somewhat larger diameter than that of thecartridge. For stiffening of the center casing the latter is equipped onone half side with a rib directed outwardly. In these belts, themovement play is, however, eliminated, as soon as the transportationgripper moves the belt. In this case, the smooth cylindrical inner facesof the casings engage solidly the outer face of the cartridge casing,whereby a straight play-free alignment of the belt is enforced. Theseforces surmount often the transportation force of the gripper. Loadingjams occur thereby.

Another known embodiment starts with the feature, that the cartridge isclamped in a band loop forming the center zone of the belt, which bowsurrounds with laterally cranked sections, the forked band loop of theadjacent member, whereby a link is formed inherently with an aligningeffect. In this case the flexibility of the belt is still more limited,than the embodiments using the cartridge as a pivot pin, and disturbingflexibility reductions occur more often. Furthermore, the danger existsthat during twisting of thebelt, the latter separates due to theresiliency of the band loop bent at a larger diameter.

It is one object of the present invention, to provide a metal beltmember for aligning of cartridges in belts for rapid fire weapons, inwhich an improvement of the flexibility and, thereby, of the maintenanceof the movement play under tensile stress of the belt is safelyobtained.

It is another object of the present invention, to provide a metal beltmember for aligning of cartridges in belts for rapid fire weapons,wherein a rib extending in longitudial direction of the cartridge beltis arranged on a band loop tapered down toward its free end andsurrounding the cartridge with play, which rib projects outwardly fromthe band loop face to the inner side of the band loop and assumes thestress load of the belt.

Due to this arrangement, in simplest and absolutely effectively safemanner the maintenance of the movement play in the belt plane isachieved under tensile stress. By the center band loop reduced in itswidth, an increased movement angle of the clamped cartridge results, notonly in the plane of the stretched belt, but also perpendicularlythereto. The inwardly projected rib engages to the outer of thecartridge casing face at points and lines, respectively, whereby incross direction of the rib a see-saw-like movement freedom is broughtabout. One can thus produce the flexibility connection with slight play,nevertheless a great and easy movability of the links can 21 resistanceof the pivot connection is advantageously enlarged, and the separationofthe belt in sections and tinal reassembly or alignment are madepossible. The ultimate tensile stress is secured. I

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in thefollowing detailed description, which is shown by example only, will thepresent invention, be clearly understood in connection with theaccompanying drawing which; I 7

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a belt member, designed in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross section thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation formed by a section of a cartridge beltformed by alignment;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the showing in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section along the lines of F IG.- 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the belt member;

FIG. 8 is a schematic showing of the movability of the belt members inthe plane; and I 7 FIG. 9 is a schematic showing of the movability ofthe belt members outside of the plane by twisting.

Referring now to the drawing, the belt member of the present inventionis made of metal and comprises two belt link portions or band loops 1and 2, curvingly open to the same side (note FIG. 7), of which the bandloop 1 forms the center zone of the cartridge belt (see FIG. 4) andaligningly surrounds the members of the cartridge casing 3 with play.

The band loop 2 constitutes a pair of fork loops 2 and 2" spaced in afork arrangement and surrounds or grips with its pair of loops 2 and 2"the cartridge casing 3 with appreciable clamping effect.

The pair of band loops 2' and 2" is rigidly connected with the band loop1 by means of a transfer web 4. The transfer web 4 forms thereby abridge-like passage 5 between the cartridge and the loop 1.

The center loop 1 corresponds, as to its width to the extent of thespace of the fork of the loop 2 between the loops 2 and 2" and ispositioned in aligning of the belt members in the fork opening passingthrough a freely movable space in the bridgelike passage 5. I

The loop I tapers down to its free end (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, theloop 1 has a rib 8 extending in the longitudinal direction of thecartridge belt and projects towards the inner or concave side of theloop from the closed bow face. The rib 8 projects over the entire lengthof the loop and is measured such, that it results in a stiffening of theloop I. The projection of the rib 8 on the inner side ofthe loop 1extends concentrically to the bending axis of the loop and has suchheight, that the cartridge 3 to be clamped is surrounded with play (seeFIG. 5).

The loops 1, 2' and 2" are open towards the same side of the cartridgebelt (FIG. 5) extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction of thecartridge belt and the openings are aligned parallel to but spaced fromthe center longitudinal axis of the cartridge belt.

At the marginal edges which point towards each other of the two loops 2and 2" forming the paired loop 2 there are provided angular wings 6; and6", which serve guiding purposes. Furthermore, a resilient tongue 7 isarranged on the loop2", which enters an annular groove 3 provided on thecartridge 3 and arrests the latter.

The loop I forming the center zone of the belt strip has within therange of the transfer web 4 recesses 9 at the edges of the two loops 2'and 2" of the paired bow 2 for securing of a uniform loop bend.

As can be ascertained from FIG. 8, an embodiment.

While, as I have disclosed one embodiment of the present invention, itis to be understood that this embodiment is given by example only andnot in a limiting sense.

I claim: 1. A metal cartridge belt member for cartridge belts foraligning of cartridges on belts for rapid fire weapons comprising tworesilient loop portions each open towards the same side to constituteopenings crosswise to the longitudinal direction of a cartridge belt andaligned parallel to but spaced from the center longitudinal axis of saidcartridge belt member, one of said loop portions constituting a centerloop forming the center zone of said belt surrounding with play one ofsaid cartridges and substantially complementary throughout its extent tothe periphery of said cartridges, the other of said loop portions beingformed in a pair of fork spaced loops clampingly surrounding the nextadjacent of said cartridges, said fork spaced loops being spaced fromeach other by a distance greater than the width of said center loop andlaterally disposed relative to said center loop, said fork spaced loopshaving a resilient tongue means for entrance into a channelure of saidcartridge and including angularly bent wings projecting from facingmarginal edges of said pair of fork spaced loops and defining a slottherebetween,

said center loop including a rib curvedly extending in iongitudinaldirection of said cartridge belt and projecting towards the inside ofsaid center loop out of the face of said center loop for assuming thetensile stress of said belt, said center loop being reduced towards itsfree end, and

two transfer webs each connecting an outer marginal edge of said centerloop to an inner marginal edge of one of said fork spaced loops, saidtransfer webs and said adjacent portion of said center loop forming abridge portion spaced from a' cartridge secured by said fork shapedloops by a distance substantially greater than the thickness of themetal forming said loops.

2. The cartridge belt member, as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said center loop continuously reduces in a direction toward itsfree end.

1. A metal cartridge belt member for cartridge belts for aligning ofcartridges on belts for rapid fire weapons comprising two resilient loopportions each open towards the same side to constitute openingscrosswise to the longitudinal direction of a cartridge belt and alignedparallel to but spaced from the center longitudinal axis of saidcartridge belt member, one of said loop portions constituting a centerloop forming the center zone of said belt surrounding with play one ofsaid cartridges and substantially complementary throughout its extent tothe periphery of said cartridges, the other of said loop portions beingformed in a pair of fork spaced loops clampingly surrounding the nextadjacent of said cartridges, said fork spaced loops being spaced fromeach other by a distance greater than the width of said center loop andlaterally disposed relative to said center loop, said fork spaced loopshaving a resilient tongue means for entrance into a channelure of saidcartridge and including angularly bent wings projecting from facingmarginal edges of said pair of fork spaced loops and defining a slottherebetween, said center loop including a rib curvedly extending inlongitudinal direction of said cartridge belt and projecting towards theinside of said center loop out of the face of said center loop forassuming the tensile stress of said belt, said center loop being reducedtowards its free end, and two transfer webs each connecting an outermarginal edge of said center loop to an inner marginal edge of one ofsaid fork spaced loops, said transfer webs and said adjacent portion ofsaid center loop forming a bridge portion spaced from a cartridgesecured by said fork shaped loops by a distance substantially greaterthan the thickness of the metal forming said loops.
 2. The cartridgebelt member, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said center loopcontinuously reduces in a direction toward its free end.